Reuse or recycle? Recovery options for end-of-use mobile phones in Spain

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to analyze the most important recovery options for end-of-use mobile phones in Spain. We start with a description of the reverse logistics system for mobile phones in Spain. The two main alternatives for this end-of-use e-waste are: reuse and recycling. The study includes the characterization of the different actors involved in the reverse logistics system (collectors, third-party take-back enterprises, sorting facilities, recyclers...) and a description of the most common logistics practices in the sector. We will also analyze the implications of different recovery options for end-of-use mobile phones. Currently the percentage of mobile phones reused is rather larger than those recycled. Special attention has to be paid to the resale channel on secondary markets. We conclude that we need to regulate this second-hand mobile phone market. Finally, we propose an alternative logistic model for improving this closed-loop supply chain: an integrated model for recovering mobile phones (which includes both options) that allows achieving economies of scale.